Alcohol Abuse Facts and Information

"Many people only think of a 'skid-row bum' when they think of someone with an alcohol problem. This is the end stage of alcohol problems, when a person has lost his or her family, job and health because of alcohol abuse. A person doesn't reach this stage overnight."

"Many people only think of a 'skid-row bum' when they think of someone with an alcohol problem. This is the end stage of alcohol problems, when a person has lost his or her family, job and health because of alcohol abuse. You don't reach this stage overnight."

"A recent national United States survey of female college students found that 15% of them had been raped at some time since the age of 14. In 53% of these cases, the victim was drinking and in 64% of these cases, the offender was drinking."

"The incidence of intoxication (i.e., a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or greater) for drivers in fatal crashes in 2003 was highest for motorcycle operators (29% ) and lowest for drivers of large trucks (1%). The incidence of intoxication for drivers of light trucks and passenger car drivers was the same (22%)."

"Interestingly, hangovers are generally more common in light to moderate drinkers than heavy and chronic drinkers, suggesting that binge drinking can be as threatening as chronic drinking."

"According to alcoholism research, there are higher rates of alcoholism in the unemployed, laborers, those of lower socioeconomic status, those that drop out of high school, those who entered college but failed to earn a degree, and those under more stress."

"There are many symptoms related to drinking problems. Alcoholism is considered a progressive disease, meaning that the symptoms and effects of drinking alcohol become increasingly more severe over time."

"It is estimated that in 1997, more than 30 million people in the United States and Europe suffered from chronic alcohol and drug addiction; approximately 22 million individuals with an alcohol addiction, 6 million individuals with a cocaine addiction and almost 2 million individuals with a heroin addiction."

"An estimated 19.5 million Americans aged 12 or older were current users of an illicit drug in 2003. This estimate represents 8.2 percent of the population."

"In one U.S. study, the intoxication rate (.08+ BAC) for male drivers involved in fatal crashes was 25%, compared to 12% for female drivers."

"Since alcohol blocks emotional pain, it is frequently resorted to as a cover up during times of temporary or ongoing stress or grief such as that experienced with the loss of a loved one or relationship, unresolved family tensions, and chronic work stress."

"Quitting is the only way to stop the problems alcohol is causing in your life. It may not be easy to quit. But your efforts will be rewarded by better health, better relationships and a sense of accomplishment. As you think about quitting, you may want to make a list of your reasons to quit."

"Driving under the influence is not an alcohol-only problem. In 2006, 13 percent of seniors said they drove after using marijuana while ten percent said they drove after having five or more drinks."

"A dysfunctional family is a family in which misbehavior, abuse, or conflict by individual family members takes place on a regular basis, leading other members of the family to enable, reinforce, and perpetuate such behaviors."

"Alcoholism and medical research have discovered that drinking alcohol can be hazardous in smaller amounts if it is consumed along with the following drugs: street drugs such as heroin and opium; sedatives such as tranquilizers and barbiturates; anti-seizure medications such as phenobarbital; and narcotic pain medications such as Codeine, Codeine derivatives, and Darvocet. Not only this, but mixing alcohol and drugs not only compounds the drug and alcohol problems that the abuser experiences, but doing so increases the person's need for professional alcohol and drug treatment."

"When people who engage in abusive and hazardous drinking finally decide to get treatment, many of them are not aware that there are usually alcohol abuse centers in their local community that provide quality alcohol abuse and alcoholism treatment."

"In some areas, part of the DUI school curriculum puts offenders face to face with victims, who tell their painful stories of how a drunk driver changed their lives forever. The idea is that personalizing the pain that drinking and driving can cause might make the offender stop and think before getting behind the wheel after drinking."

"U.S. driving statistics show that a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.10 or greater is seven times more likely to be involved in a fatal motor vehicle crash than is a driver who has not consumed alcoholic beverages, and a driver with an alcohol concentration of 0.15 or greater is about 25 times more likely."

"The following represents mild to moderate psychological withdrawal symptoms that usually occur within 6 to 48 hours after the last alcoholic drink: fatigue, difficulty thinking clearly, rapid emotional changes, feeling nervous or jumpy, nightmares, anxiety, irritability, or depression."

"Studies have shown that inpatient detoxification programs are more effective and longer lasting than outpatient detox programs. The important issue here, however, is the following: the more severe the alcohol-related withdrawal symptoms, the more likely that inpatient detox programs should be used."

"Dependence on alcohol and drugs is perhaps the most serious national public health problem in the United States. It is prevalent among rich and poor, in all regions of the country, and all ethnic and social groups."

"Research shows that when appropriate treatment is given, and when alcohol addicts follow their prescribed program, alcohol addiction treatment can work."

"Without adequate attention to the mental health needs of a person with alcohol dependence, little progress will be made."

"Alcoholism research shows that all approaches to alcoholism recovery depend on the desire of the person to get and remain sober. Effective treatment programs enhance this motivation with intervention and therapy."

"According to a report published by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, the entertainment industry has glamorized alcohol and rarely shows its damaging and unhealthy effects."

"Alcohol abuse and alcoholism research emphasizes the fact that alcohol poisoning doesn't necessarily occur from any one excessive and abusive drinking situation. That is, an alcohol overdose can also happen from a regular and repetitive infusion of alcohol in the blood stream."

"SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use & Health defines alcohol dependence or abuse using criteria specified in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). These criteria include such symptoms as giving up or reducing other important activities in favor of alcohol use, trouble with the law due to alcohol use, and increased tolerance to alcohol,recurrent alcohol use resulting in physical danger."

"Alcohol abuse and alcoholism research demonstrates the fact that if you consume alcoholic beverages, it's important to know whether your drinking patterns are safe, risky or harmful. Answering these questions will take only a few minutes, and will generate personalized results based on your age, gender and drinking patterns."

"According to the alcoholism research literature, depression is a common cause of alcoholism as the depressed person seeks a way out of their problems or a relief from insomnia. Unfortunately, alcohol is itself a depressant, so the problem is only compounded."

"Because alcohol is not found easily in nature, genetic mechanisms to protect against excessive consumption may not have evolved in humans as they frequently have for protection against natural threats."

"Alcoholism statistics demonstrate that you might think you can quit drinking at any time. Many people who have alcohol problems do quit for periods of days, weeks, or even months before they start drinking again. But unless you can consistently keep your drinking under control and not fall back into unhealthy patterns, you need professional help."

"Alcohol abuse and alcoholism research demonstrates the fact that if you consume alcoholic beverages, it's important to know whether your drinking patterns are safe, risky or harmful. Answering these questions will take only a few minutes, and will generate personalized results based on your age, gender and drinking patterns."

"According to the alcoholism and alcohol abuse research literature on teens and alcohol abuse, more than two thirds of teenagers who start drinking before the age of 15 will also try an illegal drug."

"Various studies have demonstrated that inpatient detoxification programs are longer lasting and more effective than outpatient detox programs. The significant issue here, however, is the following: the more severe the alcohol-related withdrawal symptoms, the more likely that inpatient detoxification programs should be used."